A Look Inside the Big Wave Project
Members of the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay recently had the opportunity to tour the Big Wave Project, where Julie Shenkman gave us a fascinating and inspiring grand tour of the new facilities.
Big Wave is designed to serve adults with special needs and a wide range of abilities. At the heart of the project is a simple but powerful idea: creating a community where those who are more able can help and support those who may need more assistance. That spirit of community was evident throughout our visit.
The building itself has been thoughtfully designed to support that vision. It brings together housing, education, and commercial space in a single community. The project hopes to rent space to businesses that align with its mission, providing both rental income and, potentially, employment opportunities for residents. The goal is also to serve adults with disabilities from throughout the Bay Area.
The attention to detail in the building’s design was particularly impressive. There are several classrooms and event spaces, each with exterior access. This allows members of the broader community to use these facilities without requiring visitors to enter the residential areas. It is just one example of how the physical design of the building supports both independence and community connection.
What makes the accomplishment even more remarkable is the journey it took to get here. The Big Wave Project was 27 years in the making and ultimately required an investment of more than $37 million. Seeing the completed facility made the scope of that effort tangible.
For our Rotary group, the tour was more than a look at a remarkable new building. It was an opportunity to see a vision for an inclusive community taking shape right here in Half Moon Bay. The scale of the project—and the persistence, thoughtfulness, and commitment behind it—is truly astounding.
We are grateful to Julie Shenkman for welcoming Rotary and sharing the story behind this extraordinary project.
